2016 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Prius years
The 2016 Toyota Prius has 154 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 60, and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Visibility & Wipers issues lead at 27% of complaints, and 5 recalls have been issued.
- Complaints
- 154
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 54
- 56 city / 51.5 hwy
Top 2016 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers41 (27%)
- Other31 (20%)
- Engine29 (19%)
- Electrical System23 (15%)
- Brakes20 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (10%)
- Structure & Body14 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (9%)
- Airbags7 (5%)
- Fuel System6 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed rear-end and frontal collisions.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration, including the car lurching forward or backward on its own at low speed.
- Windshields reportedly develop spreading cracks from small chips within days, sometimes requiring full replacement.
- Parking brake and foot brake systems are described as making grinding or creaking noises, with the car rolling back on inclines.
- Some owners report the electric motor still sends power to the wheels while stopped on an incline with the brake applied.
- One owner reported a seat backrest moving backward unexpectedly during a rear-end collision, causing injury.
2016 Toyota Prius recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V579000Sep 5, 2018Electrical System192,347 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
- NHTSA 18V085000Jan 31, 2018Airbags48,672 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
- NHTSA 17V658000Oct 18, 2017Fuel System6 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
Risk: If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.
2016 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 56 MPG
- Highway
- 51.5 MPG
- Combined
- 54 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?
- NHTSA lists 154 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2016 Prius, giving it a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the Prius.
- What is the most common problem with the 2016 Toyota Prius?
- Visibility & Wipers issues make up 27% of complaints (41 of 154), the largest problem area, followed by Engine issues at 19%.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Prius, covering the electrical wire harness, airbags (two separate recalls), fuel system/inverter, and parking brake cable.
- What year Toyota Prius should I avoid?
- According to NHTSA data, 2010 through 2013 are the worst Prius years to avoid, with 2010 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 2757 complaints; 2016 is rated Caution, not Avoid.
- How many complaints involve crashes in the 2016 Prius?
- NHTSA lists 8 crashes and 6 injuries among the 154 complaints for the 2016 Prius, with no reported deaths or fires.